What the hell happened in The Johan Cruyff Arena?

The below is a first-person account, shared anonymously, from a supporter who has received a five-match club banning order (which is ten matches if you go home and away) based on an incident at The Johan Cruyff Arena.

We (Dogma) are a fanzine group, not a media organisation, and as such none of the statements outlined on this page have been corroborated, nor have we approached the club, the authorities in Amsterdam, Ajax or Sussex Police for comment.

Shared anonymously, November 2023:

“I had just come back up after grabbing some beers for me and my friends at half time. Gave my friend his, picked up the rest of my last beer (probably about 1/4 left). Minutes later we scored. My friend throws his beer (keeps hold of the cup) . I throw mine, not paying any attention to where it ends up.

About 70th minute or so stewards come up and take someone down a few rows next to us. I said to my mates the stewards keep looking at us. Then a minute later they come up, ask me to go with them.

In the concourse they then tell me I’m getting kicked for throwing a beer, that was it. Said I had been caught on CCTV. I stayed calm and was compliant with them all. Then they took me to the Brighton stewards who didn’t have a clue what I had done and passed me to Sussex Police (Ajax stewards still with me). A Police officer took a picture of my ID and said it would be passed on to the club and they’ll deal with it accordingly.

I then got taken down in the lift with five Ajax stewards for myself - bit excessive. Once at the bottom they said if I was to return I could get arrested. I went to ask them the way to the metro stop and they slammed the gate shut.

On Sunday morning (12th) I received a voicemail from Brighton saying my account has been blocked, not to go to the Sheffield United game, a disciplinary meeting would be taking place on Monday (13th), and I will find out the outcome a few days after.

I sent an email Sunday morning sharing what happened from my side. But that was just to Supporter Services and there’s been no sign that it got looked at or sent on. Didn’t give me an option to send any evidence.

I received a notification of my ban on Tuesday (14th). I was informed I was in breach of ‘any behaviour that may bring BHAFC into disrepute which is a category 2 offence’. As result I am ‘excluded from attending the next 5 Premier League home games at the Amex and any other matches played within this period including away fixtures’ and ‘I will be unable to purchase any tickets for the duration of the ban’ and finally ‘I am excluded from attending the Amex and/or any club property’.

They didn’t share any details of the disciplinary meeting. I asked to see the CCTV when replying to the banning order and the response I got was Brighton don’t have access to it and I’d have to contact Ajax to see it, which makes me wonder if anyone in this disciplinary meeting actually saw it? I wouldn’t mind seeing it myself, can’t believe a cup with fuck all beer in it could go so far.

Following this I have had communication with BHAFC’s head of safety and security who was at the stadium. He said I was ejected for deliberately throwing the cup over the perplex screen, and he agreed with the stewards for ejecting me.

I’ve not argued this with any of them. I understand why they are banning me if the cup went down to the fans. I can’t understand how you can use selective banning of people who got ejected when there was others who did the same and will be fine.

It was silly from me, it wasn’t a deliberate act and it wasn’t anything different than what a lot of other fans have done but here I am facing a punishment for it. I’ve been following the club home and away for over 10 years and never had a single issue or incident. Essentially a 2 month ban for something that everyone was doing is a bit excessive.”

Recommended further reading:

1901 to 1984, JBD asks WTF On BHA’s FBOs and the IFO, published in Dogma Issue 10, examining a recent IFO report on the club’s treatment of a supporter. Issue 10 can be purchased here, or via a 23/24 subscription here.

A recent FSA report (published January 2020, written by Amanda Jacks) discussing the issue of club bans: https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fsa-faircop-we-need-to-talk-about-club-bans/